Toyota has reinvented the Aygo city car as a ruggedly-styled compact SUV, with the design remaining largely true to the Prologue concept that was shown to the world back in March.
The Aygo X is considered one of the single most important vehicles in the Japanese brand’s line-up for the simple fact the supermini is the cheapest way for people to own a new Toyota.
Compared to its predecessor, the Aygo X is 235mm longer at 3,700mm but retains its compact proportions thanks to short front and rear overhangs. Combined with a steering system that has been specifically “tuned for urban and suburban driving”, it has a turning circle of just 4.7 metres.
An increased ride height (11mm) along with a driving position that has been raised by 55mm and A-pillars that are 10% steeper are all changes intended to mprove visibility, particularly when parking.
It can still be threaded down narrow city streets despite the Aygo X’s width growing by 125mm to 1,740mm; the net result is greater shoulder space and increased luggage capacity (231-litres).
Toyota says it listened to customers’ “desires for a stylish, compact, confident car” and the Aygo X’s look makes it “unique in the A-segment”. However, designers haven’t completely broken with tradition as they carried over the Aygo’s retractable canvas roof, verticle tail-lights and single-piece glass boot-lid.
Buyers have a choice of contrasting paint options, with protective body mouldings and a deep front skid plate among the 4×4-inspired styling cues.
Sitting on the ‘GA-B’ platform, the Aygo X gets larger 18-inch alloy wheels and tyres and a heavily reworked suspension that promise “exceptional ride comfort and control”. They also cut down on cabin noise levels in tandem with beeifer sound insulation.
On the inside, the Aygo X has a 9-inch touchscreen display, ambient lighting and wireless phone charging. Higher grade models adopt Toyota’s latest multimedia system which offers cloud-based navigation to provide live route information.
LED lighting and a suite of advanced safety systems, including vehicle, pedestrian and cyclist detection, adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist and emergency steering assist all make their Aygo debut.
Power comes from a 1-litre, three-cylinder turbocharged petrol that is paired to either a 5-speed manual or a single-speed CVT transmission. Developing 71bhp and 69lb ft of torque, it has a top speed of 98mph and 94mph respectively and is capable of 60mpg while emitting 109g/km of CO2.
Final specifications for UK-bound Aygo X models is expected in the coming weeks, but given it is being pitched against the Hyundai i10 and Fiat Panda Cross, a starting price of £14,000 is expected.
